Yet six years since they first met, they say they are still very much in love.

Their path has never run smooth. Kayley, from Stourbridge in the West Midlands is the primary breadwinner after Phil was injured in a motorbike accident four years ago.

And while Kayley is ready to start a family of her own, Phil is less keen as his only child, a 27-year-old daughter, will soon give birth to his first grandchild.

Infatuated: The couple married in 2007 in a secret civil ceremony

Kayley said, ‘In a way, we’ve proven the whole world wrong. It seemed like everyone was against us, purely because of the difference in our ages.

‘I knew when we got together Phil was the man I wanted to be with. People said I was too young to know that, but I did.

‘And the proof is in the pudding. We’re still very much in love. Not everything is easy, but that’s life.

‘I can’t wait to have kids – I would have them tomorrow. But with Phil not working, money is tight, so he says we should wait a while.

‘And Phil is about to become a grandfather – he’s already had his children and is conscious about our money situation.

‘But Phil is not getting any younger. It’s crazy to think I am going to be a grandmother soon. I’m excited, but there’s no way anyone is going to call me Nana.’

Five years after their marriage Kayley’s mum, Jayne, 46, has finally come to terms with having a son-in-law who is nine years her senior.

However, Kayley says she lost most of her friends at the start of the romance who couldn’t understand why she was spending time with ‘an old man.’

She said: ‘My mum was furious when she first found out about Phil. It destroyed our relationship for a long time. ‘I still can’t talk to my dad about it and don’t see him very often. ‘I’ve got virtually no friends left who are my own age because I felt I could never talk to them about me and Phil.

‘My relationship is good with Phil’s daughter now but obviously it was strained at first.

‘I don’t treat her as a step daughter and she doesn’t treat me like a step mum.

Starting a family: Kayley says she would like babies, but Phil, who is about to become a grandfather, is more reluctant

Starting a family: Kayley says she would like babies, but Phil, who is about to become a grandfather, is more reluctant

‘Despite the massive age gap Phil and I are soulmates. Occasionally it will be an issue like when we are mistaken for father and daughter, which can be a bit embarrassing.

‘Or sometimes Phil will want me to come home early when I want to stay out later. But we are best friends who always know what the other one is thinking.’

Youthful Kayley was playing guitar in the church orchestra when she was approached by Phil. Despite being warned by her parents and church leaders that the friendship was ‘inappropriate’, the pair continued to meet.

A year later they moved in together while Kayley’s mum was away for the weekend. Kayley said: ‘We got a van and moved all my stuff into Phil’s flat. My parents weren’t listening when I told them how I felt.

No regrets: Phil Nash, 54, and Kayley, now 23, devastated Kayley’s family when they married five years ago but today say they are blissfully happy

No regrets: Phil Nash, 54, and Kayley, now 23, devastated Kayley’s family when they married five years ago, but today say they are blissfully happy

‘I couldn’t believe they were being so narrow-minded. I knew Phil was the man for me.’

A year later, in 2006, the slim brunette – who still gets asked to prove her age when buying a lottery ticket – married Phil in a secret ceremony attended by only Phil’s family.

She said: ‘We got married at the registry office. I felt sad that my family couldn’t be there but I knew what I was doing.

‘I don’t know how she found out but I got a text from my mum after the ceremony asking if I had just got married.

‘I texted back ‘yes’, then I didn’t hear from her for months. Even if it meant losing my family I knew I had to be with Phil. After my parents stopped talking to me I still had no regrets.

‘We’ve already made it five years. These days, there are plenty of marriages that don’t last that long, even when both people are the same age.’

Phil receives £300 per month in incapacity benefit after being forced from his job as a car salesman following a bad motorbike accident. However, the couple are still able to pursue their love of biking and go out most weekends.

Kayley said: ‘When I’m at work Phil stays at home and does all the cooking and cleaning. ‘It took Phil a bit of getting used to. We would like to have more money, but we’re happy for now.

‘We both know Phil is likely to die before me but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. ‘There’s no point in worrying about it. I want to enjoy the here and now.’

Columnists

"Mr Orubebe, you are former minister of the Federal Republic, you are a statesman in your own right and you must be careful about what you say and about the allegations or accusations that you make and certainly you must be careful about your public conducts."

INEC's Chairman, Attairu Jega cautioning Orubebe over his conduct during the release of the Presidential election results.